THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

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THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
Idaho Grain           Idaho Grain Producers Association
                     Producers Association 821 West State Street, Boise, Idaho 83702-5832
                     Address Service Requested
N            I              A                        R                       G
    THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
I D A H O
           SPRING 2018
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
VIEWS
                                                                      CONTENTS

       VIEWS
                                                                      Views: Dwight Little, IGPA President.........................3
                                                                      Editor's Note: Stacey Satterlee .................................4
                                                                      Primary Election Update: Rich Garber.......................5
                                                                      IGPA Washington D.C. Mentorship Trip ....................8
                                                                      Legislator Profile: Representative Maxine Bell ........12
                                                                      Farm Service Agency Committee Appointies .........14
                                                                      Future Jobs in Agriculture .......................................15
                                                                      Jerry Brown IWC Distinguished Service Award.......17
                                                                      Tereasa Waterman Retires from IWC.......................17

                                                                      Britany Hurst Joins IWC ...........................................18

                                                                      Industry Licensing and Royalties .............................19
                                                                      Pacific Northwest Wheat Export Tour ....................22
                       BY DWIGHT LITTLE                               Spring Wheat Variety Performance & Yields ...........23
                       PRESIDENT                                      Spring Barley Variety Performance & Yields............27

                                                                                             Cover Photo By: Candace Cope
As we begin a new year, I have the opportunity and privilege                                 Candace lives in Monteview, Idaho
to serve as your IGPA President for 2018 – an experience I am                                and farms and ranches with her
                                                                                             husband, Rob, and two kids, McCrae
looking forward to. Moving towards spring, I am optimistic                                   and Charlee. The cover image was
about what the future will bring. As farmers, we hope for greater                            taken of an L. Newman Farms' field
yields, superior quality, and higher prices. To accomplish these                             of barley, facing the Lemhi range
                                                                                             of the Bitteroot Mountains. You can
goals, we need good weather, less government regulations, fair                               see more of her images @ Candace
markets, good management and luck. Some of the challenges we                                 Cope Photography on Facebook.
can modify, some we cannot.
It is our job as members and leaders of IGPA to affect change                          Published quarterly by
in those areas where change can be made. We must safe guard                    Idaho Grain Producers Association
                                                                             821 W. State St. • Boise, Idaho 83702-5832
the opportunity to farm and be at the table when Congress or                              (208) 345-0706
the state legislature considers legislation that effects our daily          Stacey Katseanes Satterlee Editor-in-Chief
actives. We need to have a say on state issues like dyed diesel,                  Kellie Kluksdal Assistant Editor
short line rail infrastructure investment, truck weight and speeds,         Every effort is made to assure accuracy in articles
                                                                       published in Idaho Grain. However, the publishers assume
trespassing laws and the list goes on.                                  no responsibility for losses sustained, allegedly resulting
                                                                         from following recommendations in this magazine. Send
                                                                          inquires about articles or editorial content to the Idaho
At the national level, the farm bill and its many forms need              Grain Producers Association. The publisher will attempt
attention. NAFTA and other trade legislation must be worked             to handle unsolicited articles with care, but the magazine
                                                                              assumes no responsibility for them. Materials
on, agricultural research funding requires our support, the Farm                 will be returned only if accompanied by a
                                                                               self-addressed envelope with return postage.
Bill safety net needs protecting, and tax reform and its benefits               Address inquiries regarding editorial policy
                                                                                      and writer guidelines to the editor.
or complications requires input. These and other problems are
challenges for 2018. But, with attention, consideration, and               For subscription corrections, please call Idaho
                                                                                  Grain Producers Association at
motivation I believe we can overcome them and be successful.                              (208) 345-0706
As an Executive Board Member for IGPA I look forward to
                                                                             To subscribe or unsubscribe to Idaho Grain
working with leadership on the local, state and national level to           magazine at any time, visit the IGPA website
achieve the goals we have set out in front of us. I wish you good         at www.idahograin.org/idaho-grain-magazine,
luck in this new year in all your endeavors.                               click on the appropriate button, and fill out the
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SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                          3
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
EDITOR'S
                                                                NOTE
                                                             EDITOR'S NOTE
     IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS
             ASSOCIATION
          821 West State Street
       Boise, Idaho 83702-5832
              (208) 345-0706
    e-mail: ssatterlee@Idahograin.org
    e-mail: cprescott@Idahograin.org
       http://www.idahograin.org
              President
        Dwight Little • Newdale
            Vice President
       Matt Mosman • Nezperce
          Secretary/Treasure                                   BY STACEY KATSEANES SATTERLEE
        Jamie Kress • Rockland
          Executive Member                                     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
        Lucas Spratling • Declo
            Past President              Every February, IGPA takes a team of growers to Washington, D.C. to attend
        Joe Anderson • Potlach
          Executive Director            meetings of our national affiliates – the National Barley Growers Association
      Stacey Katseanes Satterlee        and the National Association of Wheat Growers. This year, Idaho had an
        Association Manager             impressive delegation of growers in D.C. and I am so proud to work with such
           Christie Prescott
     Communications Manager             outstanding individuals who did such a remarkable job of representing Idaho’s
            Kellie Kluksdal             grain growers.
     Government Affairs Director
             Rich Garber
                                        In addition to IGPA’s executive board members, we took with us five
    IDAHO WHEAT COMMISSION              young growers who participated in IGPA’s mentorship program. We met
         821 West State Street
       Boise, Idaho 83702-5832
                                        with members of our delegation, as well as officials at the United States
              (208) 334-2353            Department of Agriculture.
                Chairman
         Clark Hamilton • Ririe         Idaho took full advantage of the leadership opportunities that were
             Vice Chairman              presented in DC: we had two participants in the Barley Industry Leaders
         Bill Flory • Winchester
                                        of Tomorrow (BILOT), eight farmers participate in a leadership training on
             Commissioner
       Joe Anderson • Genesee           agriculture advocacy, and two grain growers in the Wheat Organizational
             Commissioner               Leaders of the Future (WOLF) program. Special thanks go to NBGA,
      Jerry Brown • Soda Springs        NAWG, Bayer CropScience, and the Idaho Wheat Commission for
             Commissioner               sponsoring these programs. You can read more about the participants and
         Ned Moon • Heyburn
          Executive Director
                                        the issues we talked about in D.C. on page 8, but let me tell you: we have
            Blaine Jacobson             some stellar, up-and-coming grain grower leaders. The future of Idaho’s
         Director of Research           grain industry looks promising.
              Collaboration
         Cathy M. Wilson, PhD           If you’re interested in learning more about what IGPA does in Washington,
        Director of Education           DC, or otherwise expanding your leadership skills, we would love to have you
        and Communications
               Britany Hurst            participate in IGPA’s mentorship program. Call or email the office and let us
                                        know you’re interested. This organization needs good, strong leaders, and our
    IDAHO BARLEY COMMISSION
          821 West State Street         mentorship program is an incredible opportunity to build that leadership.
         Boise, Idaho 83702-5832
              (208) 334-2090            The new year also brings with it IGPA’s annual membership drive. IGPA is
                 Chairman               busy working on issues critical to Idaho’s wheat and barley industry, and we
      Wes Hubbard • Bonners Ferry       need your help. We value our 600 farm-family members and the knowledge
             Vice Chairman
       Scott Brown • Soda Springs
                                                                                 they bring to the table as we work
        District II Commissioner                                                   hand-in-hand to deliver results.
                 Pat Purdy
                                                 Join IGPA today!                  Strong voices are necessary in
        Industry Representative             Call the office at 208-345-0706        order to have a say in local, state
          Tim Pella • Idaho Falls                        or go to                  and national ag policy.
              Administrator                www.idahograin.org/membership
            Kelly Olson • Boise
                                                                                   Please consider joining us today.
        Administrative Assistant
       Tammy Golder • Idaho Falls

4                                                                                          SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
PRIMARY          ELECTION
                                                                 UPDATE
     PRIMARY ELECTION UPDATE

                            BY RICH GARBER
                            DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS,
                            IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
As we rapidly approach the May primary, the political      Senator Nonini served four terms in the House and
landscape continues to shift. Between the Governor         two terms in the Senate and is the Vice Chair of the
and Lt. Governor offices, state Senate and House           Transportation Committee.
legislative seats, and the 1st and 2nd Congressional
Districts there are 22 open positions in the Idaho         District 14: Senator Marv Hagedorn (R-Meridian) is
legislature. Other announcements are rumored so that       leaving his Senate seat to run for Lt. Governor. Senator
number will most likely be even higher. Not only are       Hagedorn served three terms in the House and is
there a lot of open seats, but some of the races are       completing two terms in the Senate. He is Vice Chair of
extremely crowded; there are currently 12 candidates       the State Affairs Committee.
for Governor, five candidates for Lt. Governor, and nine
candidates for the 1st Congressional District.             District 33: Senator Bart Davis (R-Idaho Falls) left
                                                           his Senate seat after being appointed U.S. Attorney
IGPA will be watching all of these races, but we           for Idaho. Senator Davis was in his 10th term in the
have particular interest in two of them since the          Senate and was serving as Majority Leader when he
Association has endorsed Brad Little for Governor and      stepped down. Governor Otter appointed Tony Potts as
Representative Luke Malek for the 1st CD.                  Davis’s replacement.

                                                           District 35: Senator Jeff Siddoway (R-Terreton) has
                                                           indicated that he will retire from the Senate after
                                                           serving six terms. Senator Siddoway is currently Chair
                                                           of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

                                                           House
                                                           District 2: House B Representative Eric Redman
                                                           (R-Athol) will retire after serving two terms.
                                                           Representative Redman was serving as Vice Chair of
                                                           the Local Government Committee.

                                                           District 3: House B Representative Don Cheatham
                                                           (R-Post Falls) will leave his House seat after two terms
With just a little over 90 days until the May primary,     to run for the District 3 Senate seat being vacated by
here is the situation as we know it (as of February 9):    Senator Nonini.

Senate                                                     District 4: House A Representative Luke Malek
                                                           (R-Coeur d’Alene) will retire from the House to run
District 1: Senator Shawn Keough (R-Sandpoint) is          for Congress from the 1st Congressional District.
retiring from her Senate seat after 22 years. Senator      Representative Malek is in his 3rd term and is Vice Chair
Keough is the Co-Chair of the Join Finance and             of the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.
Appropriations Committee and is currently the longest
serving female Senator.                                    District 5: House A Representative Paulette
                                                           Jordan (D-Plummer) has announced her candidacy
District 3: Senator Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d’Alene)           for Governor and a long-term substitute for the
is leaving his Senate seat to run for Lt. Governor.

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                              5
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
PRIMARY ELECTION
           UPDATE

    remainder of the legislative session, St. Maries City           Governor:
    Councilwoman Margie Gannon, so she can focus full               This is a very crowded race with 12 announced
    time on her candidacy.                                          candidates, three Democrats, five Republicans and
                                                                    four Independents.
    District 10: House A Representative Brandon Hixon
    (R-Caldwell) resigned from the House in October,                In the Republican primary there are three well known
    2017. Jarom Wagoner (R-Caldwell) was appointed by               front runners, Gem County rancher and sitting Lt.
    Governor Otter as his replacement.                              Governor Brad Little, Congressman Raul Labrador
                                                                    from Eagle, and Boise Developer Dr. Tommy Ahlquist.
    District 11: House B Representative Christy Perry               Also in the race are HyDee Liebelt from Eagle and
    (R-Nampa) is retiring from the House after 4                    Steve Pankey from Shoshone.
    terms to run for the 1st Congressional District seat.
    Representative Perry formerly chaired the Ways and              In the Democratic primary Boise businessman A.J.
    Means Committee and currently chairs the Local                  Balukoff will square off with Representative Paulette
    Government Committee.                                           E. Jordan from Plummer and Troy Minton a Boise
                                                                    homeless man.
    District 18: House B Representative Phyllis King
    (D-Boise) will retire from the House after 6 terms.             There are four Independent candidates running
                                                                    for Governor, Lisa Marie, Adam Phillips, Michael
    District 24: House B Representative Steve Hartgen               Richardson, and John Wiechec.
    (R-Twin Falls) will retire from his seat after 5 terms in the
    House. Representative Hartgen has Chaired the Commerce
    and Resources Committee for the past 7 years.                   Lieutenant Governor:
                                                                    There are five announced Republican candidates for
    District 25: House A Representative Maxine Bell will            Lt. Governor; State Senator Marv Hagedorn from
    retire after 15 terms in the House. Representative Bell         Meridian, former House member Janice McGeachin
    is the longest serving member of the House. She is Co-          from Idaho Falls, State Senator Bob Nonini from
    Chair of the powerful Joint Finance and Appropriations          Coeur d’Alene, State Representative Kelly Packer
    Committee and also serves on the Agricultural Affairs           from McCammon and former Idaho Republican Party
    Committee (read more about Representative Bell on               Chairman Steve Yates.
    page 12).
                                                                    No Democratic candidates have declared for Lt. Governor.
    District 28: House B Representative Kelly Packer
    (R-McCammon) is retiring from the House after 3
    terms to run for Lt. Governor.                                  Congressional District 1:
                                                                    In the Republican primary we have another crowded
    District 33: House A Representative Janet Trujillo              field that includes former State Senator Russ Fulcher
    (R-Idaho Falls) was in her 3rd term and resigned                from Meridian, Former Lt. Governor David Leroy
    her position in the House in November after being               from Boise, State Representative Luke Malek from
    appointed to the Idaho Tax Commission by Governor               Coeur d’Alene, State Representative Christy Perry from
    Otter. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) was appointed by          Nampa, Michael Snyder from Bonners Ferry and Nick
    the Governor as her replacement.                                Henderson from Post Falls.
    District 34: House B Representative Dell Raybould               In the Democratic primary there are three candidates:
    (R-Rexburg) will retire from the House after serving 9          Donald Miller from Meridian, Michael Smith from Post
    terms. He is currently Chairman of the Environment,             Falls and James Vandermaas from Eagle.
    Energy and Technology Committee for the second
    time. He formerly Chaired the Resources and                     Congressional District 2:
    Conservation Committee.
                                                                    To date there are no primary races in District 2. Unless
    District 35: House A Representative Van Burtenshaw,             that changes the General Election will include Democratic   Con
    (R-Terreton) is in his second term in the House and a           candidate Aaron Swisher from Boise and incumbent
    likely candidate to run for the Senate seat being vacated       Congressman Mike Simpson from Idaho Falls.
    by Senator Jeff Siddoway.
6                                                                                                 SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
RVICE

                   IGPA ISSUES
            Idaho Grain Producers Take on D.C During
            Mentorship Program Trip
            BY KELLIE KLUKSDAL

            Each year, growers from Idaho have the opportunity         During the trip, growers had the opportunity to meet
            to travel to the nation's capital, and this February was   with all members of the Idaho delegation including Sen.
            no exception. Six grain growers from across Idaho,         Crapo, Sen. Risch, Rep. Labrador, and Rep. Simpson.
            along with IGPA staff and Executive board members,         The team had a chance to talk policy, what's happening
            participated in the Washington D.C. trip, part of the      on Idaho farms, and how important the 2018 Farm Bill
            IGPA mentorship program, hosted in conjunction with        is, especially the need to protect crop insurance as it's a
            the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG)           critical portion of farmer’s safety net.
            meeting and the National Barley Growers Association
            (NBGA) meetings.                                           Trade was also a big topic of conversation including the
                                                                       need to stay in NAFTA, the need for new bilaterals, and
            IGPA’s mentorship program, sponsored by the Idaho          the possibility of rejoining the Trans Pacific Partnership
            Wheat Commission, the National Barley Growers              (TPP). They also were able to tour landmark spots
            Association, and Bayer CropScience, helps foster           around D.C. and sit in on meetings and briefings with
            leadership in young growers and offers them the            NAWG and NBGA. It’s safe to say it was was an eye-
            opportunity to see the inner workings of their grain-      opening experience for most of our guys and a bit of a
            grower organizations.                                      whirlwind adventure.
            This year's participants included Chad Larsen of           Chad Larsen - Dubois
            Dubois, Faustin Wood of Newdale, Clint and Eva
            Kinghorn of Rigby, and Alex Reed of Filer. Also            Chad runs Chad Larsen Farms and has been in business
            participating in the trip was the IGPA executive           since 2003. Chad, along with his wife Jessica and
            board including President Dwight Little, Vice              their children, run the family farm which employees
            President Matt Mosman, Secretary/Treasurer Jamie           15 people. He says he wanted to learn more about
            Kress, Executive Member Lucas Spratling, and Past          legislation and how it works with agriculture as well
            President Potlatch Joe Anderson. Scott Brown and           as how international trade works. He says, “It was a
            Genesee Joe Anderson, IGPA liaisons to the board           great experience to see what all goes on and how they
            from the Idaho Wheat Commission and Idaho Barley           get Farm Bills on the floor.” Chad says he sees many
            Commission, were also in attendance along with all         challenges facing Idaho farmers today. “I see a big
            IWC commissioners.                                         challenge in trade. If there's no trade deal, that's a big
                                                                       problem.” Chad is, however, hopeful for the future:
                                                                                                               Continued on next page

        8                                                                                             SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
IGPA ISSUES

“I believe they can come to an
agreement and we can keep shipping
our wheat and barley to other
countries.” In their free time, Chad
and his family are involved in church
and school activities, also with 4-H.
Chad also helps out as a volunteer
fireman and is involved with the
Jefferson Country Farm Bureau.

Faustin Wood - Newdale
Faustin came on the trip because
IGPA President Dwight Little asked
if he would be interested. “I had been
to D.C. once before for FFA, so when
Dwight asked I was thrilled” he said.
Faustin, who helps operate Wood
Farms Land and Cattle, says he didn't
know what to expect, but in the end
it was an amazing experience. “It's
hard to put into words the knowledge
and information I gained from this
endeavor. However, to put it into

                                              Weather
the most accurate context possible,
it was nothing short of an amazing
blessing.” Faustin did express
his understanding of some of the

                                              happens.
challenges facing the agricultural
community today. “There is a gap
between consumers and producers
that continues to grow more and
more as urbanization continues and
less of the population stays home to
farm. There also exists a gap between
the farmer and those striving to              It pays to be protected with private hail coverage.
represent the story of agriculture to
our elected officials making decisions         • Pick your coverage – from field-to-field or block-to-block
on our behalf.” Faustin does see a             • Add flexibility – insure heavily in certain areas or on
bright spot in Idaho's farm future,              higher-value crops
however. “We need to continue to tell
our story and strive to advocate for           • Reduce your losses – losses can be paid by your hail
agriculture in big and small ways. At            policy and MPCI policy
the end of the day, the greatest and
most instrumental gift we have is our         Hail capacities are limited so don’t delay! Contact a
voices, so let's let them be heard.”          Northwest FCS agent for a quote today.
Faustin has a large extended family
and loves being outside running               800.743.2125 | northwestfcs.com
tractors, camping, fishing and dirt
biking. He also stays busy with
church activities, and will spend the
next two years serving his church in
Detriot, Michigan.
                     Continued on next page

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                     9
THE IDAHO GRAIN PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
IGPA ISSUES

     Clint and Eva Kinghorn - Rigby                             to offer. “I gained knowledge on how to be a more
     The Kinghorn’s came on the trip for the opportunity        effective communicator for agriculture. I was also able
     to see our nation's capital and understand the day-to-     to become more familiar with the Farm Bill and trade
     day workings of the legislature in D.C. They farm in       issues,” he said. Lucas also expressed his concern
     the Rigby area along with Clint's Dad, Calvin, and         for the Idaho farmer in regards to trade. “We need a
     other family members. Clint says he was excited            more efficient and robust infrastructure to allow us to
     to experience D.C. and thought it would be a good          move our products to foreign markets. We need trade
     opportunity to understand more about how Congress          agreements in place.” Lucas and his wife live in Raft
     works. He shared many of the same sentiments as            River where he farms alongside his brother and Dad.
     the other program participants, in that farming is an      They love to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and
     industry in need of support. “The biggest challenge        dirt biking. Lucas is also a volunteer fire fighter.
     facing farmers today is that we are a small percentage
     of the population and we are expected to feed the          Alex Reed - Filer
     nation. That's an overwhelming responsibility,             Alex Reed from Filer also participated in the Wheat
     especially with attacks on farmers, how we raise our       Organization Leaders of the Future (WOLF),
     food and how it comes to the table,” he said. Clint also   and shared similar sentiments. “I wanted to go to
     expressed his hope that strong trade agreements will       Washington DC to represent grain producers on issues
     be put into place and that we continue to participate      that are important to us, and to participate in some
     in NAFTA. “Farmers here in the United States do a          excellent training opportunities that will help make
     great job growing high-quality grain and we need to be     me better able to communicate those issues to our
     able to make our product available to the people of the    legislators and their staff.” Alex also has high hopes
     world.” Clint and Eva have four children and, when not     for the future. “I would like to see favorable trade
     working on the farm, they enjoy camping and hunting        programs and market development that can bring some
     or just hanging out together.                              price support to our industry.” Alex and his wife Leah
                                                                have four children and enjoy being together on the
     Lucas Spratling - Raft River                               farm. Alex is the county director for Twin Falls Grain
     Lucas Spratling is the newest member of the IGPA           Producers, and is also active in Farm Bureau. Leah is
     Executive board and serves as the Executive member.        the president of Filer PTO.
     He was able to attend D.C. this year and participate       The goal of the mentorship program through IGPA is
     in the Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future            to groom young growers for leadership positions in the
     (WOLF) Program and take in all the experience had          future. To have up and coming, capable people leading
                                                                                                      Continued on next page

10                                                                                            SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
IGPA ISSUES

the state’s grain growers into the future is a necessary                                 more knowledgeable and passionate about being an
tool. But there is much to learn. The mentorship                                         advocate for agriculture.”
program provides an opportunity to take those willing
and wanting to learn about the inner workings of the                                     IGPA President Dwight Little said the mentorship
federal government, and how it affects growers in                                        program is good for farmers and the organization.
Idaho and across the country, to the nation’s capital for
                                                                                         “We’re developing young men and women to
a first-hand look at how it all works. Meeting one-
                                                                                         eventually take over leadership of Idaho Grain
on-one with the Idaho delegation, as well as people
                                                                                         Producers. The mentorship program exposes them to
from the national organizations NAWG and NBGA,
                                                                                         our national organizations and the work that they do
is invaluable. It’s the personal, relationship-building
                                                                                         and allows them to see how their dollars are being
momentum necessary to get things done.
                                                                                         spent,” he said.
Executive board member Jamie Kress put it well.
                                                                                         “This knowledge and experience can then radiate
“IGPA’s mentorship program offers the opportunity to
                                                                                         back to their community. It allows growers to connect
experience powerful farm advocacy at work. As these
                                                                                         with IGPA leadership so they feel more comfortable
young farmers visit with legislators and meet with
                                                                                         bringing issues to the organization. It also gives young
various USDA offices, they are able to see how their
                                                                                         growers a chance to get off the farm and see parts of
voice can make a difference. Additionally, by attending
                                                                                         the world they might not otherwise see. Overall, it’s
National Association of Wheat Growers and National
                                                                                         a great program. Developing leaders is critical to our
Barley Growers Association meetings they are able to
                                                                                         organization,” he said.
learn more about farm policy and develop relationships
with farmers and industry leaders from around the                                        For more information on the mentorship program, visit
nation. Our mentorship program participants go home                                      http://www.idahograin.org/igpa-mentorship/.

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SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                                               11
IGPA ISSUES
                                     LEGISLATOR PROFILE

                                                               to-farmer” program which gave her the opportunity
                                                               to travel to Ukraine and Russia. The program was
                                                               designed to help farmers, as after the devastation of
                                                               World War II most of the farmers in these countries
                                                               were women. Maxine said the program sought to help
                                                               organize these farmers, noting that most of them were
                                                               extremely fearful of government. Unlike in the United
                                                               States, these countries did not have any extension
                                                               services and no advanced agricultural technology.
                                                               “The situation gave me an opportunity to see how
                                                               blessed we are to be a part of the solution and have
                                                               government as a helper.”
                                                               After her time with the Farm Bureau, a comment
                                                               from a representative that she had helped as a precinct
                                                               committeeman made her think. He said, “I’m not here

     Representative
                                                               to work. Boise is a nice place to winter.” Although
                                                               Maxine noted that this was likely not what he meant,

     Maxine Bell
                                                               she was perturbed by the comment. Then, in the
                                                               middle of the night, she woke her husband and said, “I
                                                               am going to run.” To which Jack replied, “You can't.
     BY GIULIANA TORLAI                                        He’s a friend.” Maxine then promised Jack that it
                                                               would be friendly.
     Representative Maxine Bell began her career in the        Maxine then began her 30-year tenure at the
     Idaho Legislature in 1988. Born in Logan, Utah,           legislature. However, it looked a little different
     Maxine and her family moved to Idaho after her father     back then. In her first term as a Representative, the
     passed away. Maxine attended Jerome High School           legislature was larger and she was not assigned to a
     where she met her husband, Jack Bell, on a blind date     committee. Representatives also did not have offices
     after he came back from the Navy. The two married not     and simply sat on the floor at their desks. Maxine said
     long after.                                               that she came in as a freshman “very green,” and that
                                                               not being assigned to a committee helped her because
     In discussing Maxine’s life before the legislature, she   she was able to communicate with her constituents and
     said, “I was Jack’s hired man on the farm. I never        learn a lot. She would sit in on committee meetings to
     dreamt of getting to the legislature.” They were small    learn how things worked.
     row crop farmers, with Maxine driving the grain trucks,
     hoeing the beets, and driving the dry edible beans to     In her second term, Bruce Newcomb asked her to
     town. During her time helping Jack on the farm she was    be on the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee
     also a school librarian.                                  (JFAC). Maxine admitted that she was concerned
                                                               at first about the math that such a committee might
     Maxine got her start in local government as a precinct    entail, however she then “came to realize that you
     committeeman. She loved the opportunity to go out and     just add zeros.”
     speak with the public about issues that were important
     to them, encouraging them to vote, and passing out        Maxine loved the opportunity being on JFAC
     materials at parades. Maxine then represented the Farm    provided. She was able to learn a lot and noted that
     Bureau as a District Chairman on the national level and   the chairman "knew so much about how government
     then as American Farm Bureau Vice Chairman.               worked" and decided she would learn what the
                                                               chairman knew. Maxine is now co-chairman of JFAC
     The opportunity with the Farm Bureau allowed Maxine       alongside Senator Keough.
     the ability to travel around the country. Through the
     State Department, she participated in the “farmer-                                              Continued on next page

12                                                                                          SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
IGPA ISSUES

Finance has been a main focus of Maxine’s time to                  Maxine says her days at the legislature are, “Beautiful.
“make sure that the government is running cleanly                  It’s a beautiful building to work in alongside the nicest
and efficiently to ensure people are left with enough              people. It has been an amazing time here. The people are
money to live and send their children to college.” She             so patient and gracious to have elected me for so long.”
stressed, “Don’t ever tell me we are putting too much
into education.”                                                   As Maxine gets ready to retire she offers to incoming
                                                                   representatives, “Keep your mouth shut and learn.
Throughout her years at the legislature, Maxine has sat            Listen to other people and let those in the industry teach
on several committees such as Agricultural Affairs and             you what you need to know to make the best decision.”
Resources and Conservation, noting that, “it is important
that we manage our natural resources so that our                   Maxine will deeply miss the legislature and all the
farmers can make money, while still sustaining precious            wonderful people. In her retirement, she plans to spend
resources.” Agriculture has always been a main focus for           time with her husband, travel, and garden. However,
Maxine because of her background and its importance to             she was quick to say that she would not be officially
the people in her district. She was delighted to talk about        retired until December and that she would still be
Idaho not only being a raw materials agriculture state but         "attending rotary meetings and waving in parades."
truly being value added, saying: “We are sending yogurt,
not the milk, out of Idaho.”

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                                    on iTunes—search for “Wheat All About It.”
            “Podcasts are a great way for today’s farmers to keep ahead of the curve. ‘Wheat All About It’ is
            educational, but also fun. Scott Yates’ wealth of knowledge about the wheat industry shines through.”
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SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                       13
IGPA ISSUES

     Five Idahoans, Including Two Grain Growers,
     Appointed to State FSA Committee
     BY KELLIE KLUKSDAL

     Last month, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue           in the past have gone to
     made his announcement of the new state Farm                 D.C. to discuss the issues
     Service Agency (FSA) appointees. State FSA                  all together, so maybe
     committees are selected by the Ag Secretary and are         that’s on our agenda.”
     responsible for implementing FSA’s farm programs.
                                                                 The other grain producer
     “The State Committees will help to ensure USDA              appointed to the post is
     is providing our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and          another former IGPA
     agricultural producers with the best customer               president, Matt Gellings of
     service,” Secretary Perdue said. “They serve as a           Idaho Falls. Matt served on
     liaison between USDA and the producers in each              the state FSA committee in
     state across the nation by keeping them informed and        the previous administration,
     hearing their appeals and complaints. The committees        so he has an idea of what’s
     are made up mostly of active farmers and ranchers,          to come. “This is a political appointment, but you must
     representing their peers and ensuring USDA’s                be fair,” says Gellings. “You can’t show support to just
     programs are supporting the American harvest.”              one side or the other. When people come in for appeals,
                                                                 you must be fair.”
     The state committee is comprised of farmers and
     ranchers who work on behalf of their peers in the           “The FSA is the only government agency who has a
     state. Each county has a county committee. If a             grassroots voice in agriculture that affects our nation’s
     farmer has an issue and the county committee cannot         farmers and ranchers,” says Gellings. “Our duty as the
     resolve it, the state committee would get involved.         state committee is to deliver the various programs and
                                                                 services that come down from the Farm Bill to U.S.
     Idaho’s state committee is made up of five individuals      farmers. As the programs change or as we enact new
     involved in agriculture in the state, including two         farm policy, FSA is there to serve.”
     grain growers and past IGPA presidents.
                                IGPA Past President
                                Potlatch Joe Anderson,
                                                                   The Idaho state FSA committee serves a
                                who just finished his tenure
                                                                   four-year term and includes:
                                as IGPA president, said
                                he was surprised at the              Joe Anderson, Potlatch                                  C
                                announcement and had
                                no idea it was coming. “I            Matt Gellings, Idaho Falls
                                thought I was too old for
                                this job,” he said. But Joe is       Mike Guerry, Sheep Rancher, Castleford
                                a perfect candidate for the
                                                                     Kaitlin Davis, Cattle Rancher, Cascade
                                job. As a grower in North
                                Idaho, his knowledge of the          Randy Hardy, Potato Grower, Oakley
     issues in Idaho will greatly help farmers in the state.
     Joe says he was honored and flattered to be chosen to
     serve. This position is one he hasn’t held before and
     says he believes one of the main issues that the team
     will face this year includes Farm Bill. “I imagine this
     group will meet once a month or so. State FSA groups

14                                                                                              SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
IGPA ISSUES

Future Jobs In Agriculture
                                                                                                                                     DEAN,
                                                                                                                                     UNIVER

The University of Idaho as a whole (including                  The link between the Moses Lake and Twin Falls events
administrators, faculty, staff and students) is working        is remarkably direct. To provide an educated workforce
hard to encourage more young people to pursue                  needed to fill the agricultural jobs that tomorrow will
education beyond high school.                                  demand, the university and the college must start by
                                                               helping young children understand that science is both
In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences it is truly   fun and useful.
all hands on deck in this effort. Plant Sciences professors
Bob Tripepi and Joe Kuhl made a swing through south-           CALS Associate Dean Matt Doumit and animal
central Idaho last fall to offer high school classes lessons   scientist Stacy Doumit helped explain how milk
on plant propagation and working with DNA.                     becomes the safe, healthy drink that every American
                                                               child knows.
CALS student ambassadors will travel thousands of
miles during the academic year to visit high schools           For CALS Dean Michael
and give students information about what it is like to         Parrella, helping young
attend U of I and study agriculture. Our ambassadors           children learn about the
answer questions and provide that invaluable                   world through science is a
perspective that helps many high school students               fun and essential endeavor.
decide to go on to college.                                    CALS ambassadors also
                                                               connected with FFA
The CALS crew had a fun field trip to Moses Lake,              members from Moses
Washington, on Feb. 2 with visits to two elementary            Lake High School to offer
schools there.                                                 lessons about our sense of
                                                               taste and the importance of
The elementary school visits followed a luncheon held
                                                               soil and water.                   Michael Parrella, Dean,
the week before at Glanbia Foods headquarters in Twin                                        College of Agricultural and Life
Falls with U of I alumni employed there.                       Continued on next page         Sciences, University of Idaho

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                       15
IGPA ISSUES

     The Jan. 26 visit to Glanbia’s headquarters in Twin                               Overall, nearly two thirds of 4-H’ers go on to higher
     Falls was organized by the U of I Office of Alumni                                education. That’s nearly 50 percent more than Idaho’s
     Relations and drew about 30 alums. The goal at Twin                               overall average.
     Falls was to honor Barney Krueger, the company’s
     senior vice president of technical services. The CALS                             Three years ago, Purdue University economists released
     Alumni Association selected Barney as its Distinguished                           a study that shows nearly 58,000 agriculture jobs will
     Associate Award recipient.                                                        open annually through 2020. Universities are on track
                                                                                       to produce only 35,400 graduates in ag-related fields.
     Both events follow a long tradition of CALS focusing
     on agriculture’s future workers. CALS holds Ag Days                               Mark McGuire, the Idaho Agricultural Experiment
     every fall to encourage hundreds of students from                                 Station’s director and U of I dairy researcher, met with
     across Idaho to visit campus and learn more about                                 the Idaho Barley Commission not long ago. His message
     agricultural opportunities.                                                       was simple. College graduates who have an interest in
                                                                                       agriculture enjoy strong employment prospects.
     There are dozens of other programs, too. Idaho 4-H
     Youth Development connects with schools throughout                                Idaho agriculture prospers because it relies on and rewards
     the state through informal and formal partnerships,                               innovation and technology. Students who earn bachelor or
     including after-school or fifth-day programs.                                     master’s degrees prepare themselves for jobs that require
                                                                                       knowledge and expertise, and pay accordingly.
     Robotics programs led by 4-H are a hit. Since
     2006, enrollment has jumped some 20-fold to 4,000
     students who are learning to design, build, program
     and operate robots.

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16                                                                                                                                                          SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
IWC

Jerry Brown Receives Distinguished
Service Award
                          Jerry Brown, Soda Springs,         Foods Council’s board of directors, and is involved
                          was the recipient of the Idaho     with IGPA’s congressional, legislative, tax, and
                          Wheat Commission’s (IWC)           transportation committees. He is still actively involved
                          2017 Distinguished Service         with the Caribou County Grain Growers, as well as
                          Award. The Distinguished           the Bear River Water District 11. Jerry is also a board
                          Service Award is presented         member of the Caribou Memorial Hospital.
                          each year to an individual
                          in Idaho whose outstanding         Jerry has logged countless hours traveling as a
                          contributions to the wheat         spokesman for the Idaho wheat industry, and has
                          industry deserve special           spent time promoting Pacific Northwest (PNW) wheat
                          recognition. Jerry is a valued     domestically and abroad. Jerry traveled to Asia last fall
friend of Idaho’s wheat industry, and has committed          on a U.S. Wheat Crop Quality tour, where he reported
countless hours to advancing Idaho’s wheat industry.         to customers overseas on the quality of this year’s PNW
                                                             wheat crop. Jerry is an exceptional spokesman and
Jerry began his involvement with the Caribou County          advocate for Idaho wheat growers, and has established
Grain Growers nearly 15 years ago. Like many of us,          relationships with large milling companies both
getting involved with our county grain growers group         domestically and internationally.
is often the catalyst for further involvement in Idaho’s
grain industry. Jerry’s participation in the Caribou         Jerry owns and operates a 5,000 acre dry land and
County Grain Growers opened the door for Jerry to            irrigated farm in the southeastern corner of Idaho where
become the commissioner representing District Five in        he raises hard red winter wheat, hard white wheat, hard
IWC leadership.                                              red spring wheat, and soft white wheat. The Brown
                                                             family has been farming this land for more than 80
For the past eight years, Jerry has been serving as a        years. Jerry began working on the family farm at the
commissioner for IWC. Jerry was first appointed to           age of ten. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree
Commission leadership in 2009 by Governor C.L.               in accounting from Utah State University and is a
“Butch” Otter, and takes his volunteer position very         Certified Public Accountant.
seriously. Jerry is always eager to learn new things
about the industry and wants to share his knowledge          Jerry and his wife, Robyn, have six children. When
with other grain producers.                                  not working on the farm or preparing taxes Jerry,
                                                             Robyn, and their family enjoy camping, fishing,
While an IWC Commissioner, Jerry has utilized his            backpacking, and any other activity that allows them
tax experience as a Certified Public Accountant by           to spend time together.
conducting tax webinars for Idaho growers, and serving
as a financial oversight for IWC. Jerry also serves on
the U.S. Wheat Associates board of directors, the Wheat

   IWC

Tereasa Waterman Retires from IWC
The Idaho Wheat Commission would like to thank Tereasa Waterman for more than 18 years of tireless dedication to
Idaho’s wheat community. Tereasa and her husband welcomed baby number two into the family in December, and we
are thrilled for this new chapter in their lives.

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                17
IWC

     Britany Hurst Joins IWC
     Britany Hurst joined the Idaho Wheat Commission on          As disconnect
     December 1, 2017 as the Communications and Grower           between those who
     Education Manager. Britany grew up amid wheat and           grow the food we eat
     potato fields in the Mini-Cassia area of south-central      and the millennial
     Idaho. She relocated to Boise after high school to          mom in the urban
     attend Boise State University, where she earned a           supermarket
     bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science.         continues to grow,
                                                                 agriculture doesn’t
     Prior to joining IWC, Hurst spent more than six             have time to be
     years with the Idaho Cattle Association, where she          reactionary. “We
     served as Communications Director, lobbyist, and            have to be proactive
     Environmental Policy Director. She also held a seat         in our message."
     on agriculture-related committees, including the
     Idaho Freight Advisory Committee which focuses on           We always tell
     Idaho’s infrastructure and the transportation of state      farmers and ranchers
     commodities via roads, rail, and water. She represented     to ‘tell their story’,
     the cattle industry with Food Producers of Idaho,           but they don’t have the time to spend hours a day
     and was a member of the cattle industry’s national          competing with the anti-agriculture crowd. They’re
     environmental working group.                                busy growing the food that feeds families all over the
                                                                 world. Only two percent of the population grows the
     “I had the opportunity to be involved in the process for    food that feeds 100 percent of the population.
     Idaho to obtain primacy over the Pollutant Discharge
     and Elimination System program from the very                Opening avenues of dialogue is key. Growers need
     beginning, which will be great for Idaho. Any time          to know the latest information on research and
     we can bring regulatory authority back to the state,        crop varieties, market development, and demand.
     it’s a good thing.” Hurst continued, “I have cultivated     Consumers need to know that wheat is part of a
     relationships and adopted mentors from industry             healthy diet and gluten isn’t bad for the majority of the
     partners across agriculture, and I bring that network and   population. Consumers need to know that farmers
     influence with me to wheat.”                                are feeding wheat to their families and it’s safe and
                                                                 nutritious for the urban family as well. The public
     Hurst understands the importance of communicating           needs to know that protecting the environment is
     to both consumers and growers. “Consumers want              absolutely essential to wheat production, and farmers
     to know from where their food comes, so sharing             are employing new methods through science and
     those stories with the public builds a bridge. My           technology and years of research to increase crop
     responsibility is to empower growers and inform             quality and environmental stewardship.
     consumers.” How will she do that? “Well, I’m
     a Millennial, so I understand how that generation           “Social media is the thing we all love to hate,” Hurst
     communicates. But I’m on the older end of that              said. “We’ve become a society that “lives” on social
     generational class—I read that we’re calling it the micro   media. In order to stay viable and be part of the
     generation—and from rural Idaho, and have spent years       conversation, we have to be present in the online
     in agriculture, so I understand how to educate and          vortex. We have to be proactive and accurate in our
     communicate with growers and consumers and all the          messaging. That’s what I’m here for.”
     social segments within those groups.”
                                                                 Britany filled the vacancy in the Idaho Wheat
     “There’s so much misinformation out there about food        Commission left by the retirement of Tereasa
     and nutrition, and that misinformation is hurting Idaho     Waterman, who had been with IWC for 18 years.
     agriculture. We need more committed individuals to
     communicate and disseminate accurate information
     to consumers, and I’m excited to do that for Idaho’s                                                                    Continued o
     wheat industry.”

18                                                                                              SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
IWC

A Big Win for Idaho's Wheat Industry:
Licensing and Royalties

Limagrain's PNW wheat breeder, Jean-Bruno Beafume promothing the CLP varieties at a field day in 2015 surround by the Idaho wheat
breeding team.

The Idaho Wheat Commission (IWC) and University                     A commercialization partner handles seed production,
of Idaho (UI) reached an agreement to change the way                market research and development, seed sales and
royalties from licensed wheat varieties are distributed.            royalty collection. Licensing public varieties to
Royalties from 2017 seed sales are expected to funnel               commercial partners was first suggested by the IWC.
$360,000 dollars into wheat research and development
programs through the University of Idaho’s Idaho                    Idaho growers were frustrated they couldn’t find seed
Agriculture Experiment Station (IAES) budget. The                   of public varieties they learned about at extension field
new formula returns 60% of net royalty earned from                  days and cereal schools. Grower assessment dollars
new seed sales directly to wheat research. “The                     supported the breeding programs, but the return on
Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station looks forward                 the investment in the form of new varieties with better
to having additional funds to support wheat variety                 performance wasn’t getting back to the growers.
development. The greater return of royalties will allow                                                        Continued on next page
directed investment into the program to provide high
quality wheat varieties for Idaho producers” remarked
Dr. Mark McGuire, IAES Director and College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Associate Dean
for Research.
Another 16% of the royalty goes to the wheat breeder
rewarding them for their invention. Dr. Jianli Chen,
UI spring wheat breeder, acknowledged, “This is
a reward for me and my program. We appreciate
growers’ support. I look forward to seeing more
cultivars that growers can access and industry can
use to produce the best products.” Dr. Chen uses her
portion of the royalty to share with all those in her
program contributing to the variety's development.
“Royalty returns give incentive to all inventors
including graduate students, technicians, and
collaborators in extension and quality testing."
                                                                            It takes a lot of people and programs to make a
Royalties are generated through licensing wheat                             wheat variety. Idaho wheat team members Dr.
varieties developed by UI breeders, to a private seed                       Jianli Chen, Breeder, David Hoadley, Foundation
                                                                            Seed Program manager and Dr. Kurt Schroeder,
producer who commercializes the variety.                                    Cropping Systems faculty

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                               19
                                                                                                                                             Jes
                                                                                                                                             Wh
IWC

      “One of the main reasons that the IWC recommended                    In a collaborative move, the IWC encouraged the
     that varieties be PVP [Plant Variety Protected] and                   IAES to release public varieties under the Plant Variety
     licensed was to provide a mechanism whereby the                       Protection Act with Title 5 invoked to protect the
     released varieties would be promoted and get into                     intellectual property of public varieties. PVP permits
     grower’s hands,” explained “Potlatch” Joe Anderson,                   individual farmers to save back seed for their own use,
     Past President of the Idaho Grain Producers Association.              but they can’t sell, barter, or give away the seed to a
                                                                           third party. Title 5 of the Federal Seed Trade Law,
     Private seed companies were aggressively building                     requires the variety to be sold as a class of certified
     seed distribution networks for their varieties effectively            seed. Beginning in 2010, IAES decided to release all
     locking out public varieties from the market. The                     new wheat varieties under protection of PVP and Title
     College of Agriculture and Life Sciences did not have                 5. PVP Title 5 would limit “brown bagging”, a practice
     a means to commercialize or market their varieties.                   where growers save some of the commodity grain crop
     The UI extension agents                                                                                   for seed for the next
     ran variety trials in                                                                                     crop. Brown bagging
     most counties in the                                                                                      reduces the incentive
     past, but as funding for                                                                                  for public or private
     extension shrunk so did                                                                                   breeders to invest in
     the number of extension                                                                                   developing new high
     personnel and the ability                                                                                 performance varieties.
     to be the marketing
     outlet for the public                                                                                    UI Stone, a soft white
     varieties. “Potlatch”                                                                                    spring variety, was
     Joe pointed out, “In the                                                                                 the first Title 5 variety
     opinion of some, the                                                                                     released and licensed
     objective of licensing                                                                                   to a commercialization
     is not specifically to                                                                                   partner. Limagrain
     generate funds for                                                                                       Cereal Seeds (LCS)
     variety research, but                                                                                    agreed to a royalty
     to help ensure that                                                                                      for the exclusive right
     varieties that have been                                                                                 to market UI Stone.
     developed with grower                                                                                    The market for UI
     (IWC) funding become                                                                                     Stone was developed
                                UI Platinum, a hard white spring with excepetional end-use quality, and
     quickly available and      licensed by Limagrain Cereal Seeds, is being promoted by Frank Curtis,        by LCS over a three
     adopted by growers.”       COO from Limagrain.                                                           year period. Today,
                                                                                                              UI Stone is widely
     The university breeding                                               available across southern Idaho. “UI-LCS collaboration
     programs had their own challenges and interest in                     has great benefit for both parties in the amount of
     licensing varieties. How could public breeders compete                royalty returns. UI Stone was [sold] out of stocks in
     with private varieties developed by international                     2017. It may be hot in 2018 spring planting because of
     companies with tremendous resources? Public breeding                  high yield and excellent end-use quality,” commented
     programs would need more research funding to utilize                  Dr. Jianli Chen.
     new plant breeding technology and stay competitive
     with private industry. Was there a way the public                     Initially the royalty stream was a trickle, but soon
     breeding programs could stay in the game?                             became a flood, when LCS and UI wheat researchers
                                                                           collaborated again to bring herbicide resistant lines to
     “Industry changes are causing wheat breeding to                       market. UI Magic CLP, Castle CLP and Palouse CLP
     change,” said Blaine Jacobson, Executive Director                     were game changers. The initial crosses were stuck
     of the Idaho Wheat Commission. “Nowhere are the                       in the UI variety development pipeline. Two genes for
     changes more visible than in the public wheat breeding                herbicide resistance to Beyond™ were incorporated
     programs. The public programs that survive will be                    into these lines. Using two genes for tolerance to the
     those that develop several funding streams. Having                    active ingredient in Beyond™ is the next generation
     royalty dollars in addition to grower check-off dollars               advancement of BASF’s Clearfield™ technology.
     will enable Idaho breeding programs to stay in the game               The partners agreed to fast track these lines through
     as more advanced technologies become available.”                                                               Continued on next page

20                                                                                                         SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN
LCS’s doubled haploid lab in France. The lab utilizes                   breeder, OTT, and CALS. Add it all up, and under
advanced techniques cutting out seven years of field                    the new agreement a full 74% of net royalties is
selection to generate completely uniform genetic lines.                 plowed into wheat research programs.
These varieties were in grower’s commercial grain
fields in four years from the identification of the lines               Dr. Arash Rashed, UI Entomologist at Aberdeen
in joint field trials with UI and LCS. Growers have                     opined, “The new agreement between U of I and
rapidly adopted the varieties because the high yield, two               IWC to reinvest seed royalties toward wheat
gene Clearfield genetics, and the varieties’ excellent                  research would directly benefit both Idaho
end-use qualities, more than cover the increased seed                   researchers and producers. It will not only support
costs and buying seed every year.
The IWC and the IAES recognized
royalties from CLP varieties were
potentially an important new source
of financial support for UI wheat
research programs, if the royalty
was distributed directly back to the
research programs. An outdated
system of royalty distribution at UI
distributed 40% of the royalty to the
Office of Technology Transfer (OTT),
40% to the breeder as inventor, and
20% to the college.
The Idaho Wheat Commission worked
with Dean Parrella, UI-CALS, to
find a more appropriate formula.
IWC sought to ensure that any new
revenue would benefit the programs
that created the varieties. Idaho wheat
growers, whose check-off dollars were Seedlings from a doubled haploid recovery. "This is one of the "fast breeding" techniques.
funding a significant part of variety    It cut 7 years off of the normal breeding time but it is very expensive," explains Dr. Jianli
                                         Chen, UI spring wheat breeder.
development, would support paying
more for seed if the royalties were
supporting wheat research solving production problems,                 the development of varieties with improved yield
and keeping wheat farming profitable.                                  and reduced susceptibility to biotic and abiotic
                                                                       yield-limiting factors, but it will also support other
In November 2016, the IWC met on campus with new                       fundamental and applied research programs that
Vice President for Research (VPR) Janet Nelsen and                     are directly related to improved food security and
CALS Dean Parrella. In the negotiation, the IWC                        quality. In addition, it will create jobs within the
pointed out other land grant colleges put 60-80% of                    community for the people involved in various
royalties into the programs generating the royalty.                    aspects of our research programs. As scientific
They reiterated their commitment to licensing publicly                 community we are looking forward to our continued
bred varieties. Jerry Brown, IWC Chairman at the                       highly productive collaborations.”
time, explained, “Licensing is a way to get the variety
commercialized and out to farmers and provides a way                    The result is a win for Idaho’s wheat researchers,
to strengthen wheat research funding.”                                 wheat growers, seed producers, the University of
                                                                       Idaho, and rural communities. These partnerships and
Change is difficult and the UI royalty re-distribution                 collaborations are bringing greater returns to Idaho’s
was no different. Negotiations continued throughout                    wheat industry.
most of 2017. In October 2017, the parties agreed
to a new royalty split that gives an initial 60% of net
royalty revenues directly back to wheat research.
The other 40% is then divided between the wheat

SPRING 2018 • IDAHO GRAIN                                                                                                                21
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